▪ I. reviver, n.1
(rɪˈvaɪvə(r))
[f. the verb + -er1.]
1. That which revives, restores, or invigorates; also slang, a stimulating drink.
| 1592 Nashe P. Penilesse 16 b, Hee saith, it [sc. learning] is..the reuiuer of vices, and mother of cowardize. 1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 344 The mirthfull sunne (the provoker and reviver of decayed nature). 1762 Beattie Elegy ii, Hail, kind reviver! that canst lull the cares, And every weary sense compose to rest. 1844 Dickens Mart. Chuz. xxiii, ‘Now, Mr. Tapley,’ said Mark, giving himself a tremendous blow in the chest by way of reviver. 1876 Besant & Rice Gold. Butterfly 63 It was but twelve o'clock, and therefore early for revivers of any sort. |
b. A preparation for restoring a faded colour, polish, or lustre.
| 1836 Dickens Sk. Boz, Characters x, It is a deceitful liquid that black and blue reviver. Ibid., The transient dignity of the unhappy man decreased, in exact proportion as the ‘reviver’ wore off. 1885 Lock Workshop Rec. Gen. Index, French Polish Reviver. |
2. One who revives or restores that which has lapsed, become obsolete, or fallen into disuse.
| 1607 Schol. Disc. agst. Antichr. ii. v. 2 The Magistrate must be a remoouer, or reviver of the Ceremonies controversed. 1673 Milton True Relig. Wks. 1851 V. 410 The Authors or late Revivers of all those Sects or Opinions. 1741 Middleton Cicero II. 479 The head and reviver of the Marian cause. 1797 Godwin Enquirer i. vi. 38 We are indebted to the..revivers of letters for more than we can express. 1835 Lytton Rienzi iv. i, To grace the palace of the Reviver of the old Republic. 1878 Lecky Eng. in 18th C. II. vii. 325 The first considerable reviver of Shakespeare. |
b. (See quot. and cf. revival 3).
| 1824 W. E. Andrews Crit. Rev. Fox's Bk. Mart. I. 228 Religious frenzy, imbibed by her connexion with a sect of Methodists called Revivers. |
c. One who touches up or renovates old clothes.
| 1864 Times 2 Nov. (Farmer), Revivers, who rejuvenate seedy black coats, and, for the moment, make them look as good as new. |
▪ II. † reˈviver, n.2 Obs.
[f. as prec. + -er4.]
1. Revival, restoration, re-establishment.
| c 1617 Bacon Digest of Laws (1629) 145 The Lawes of those three Law-Giuers had great Prerogatiues... The third, of a Spirit of Reuiuer; To bee often oppressed, and often restored. 1637 Heylin Brief Answ. 140 A reviver and continuance onely of the antient usages. 1641 ― Help to Hist. (1671) 176 That act was totally repealed, and a reviver made of the said late dissolved Bishoprick. |
2. bill of reviver: (see quots. and revivor2 2).
| a 1631 Donne Lett. (1651) 19 It was like a Bill of Reviver, by way of crosse-suits. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Bill of Reviver, is when a Bill hath been exhibited in Chancery, against one who answers, and before the Cause is heard, or if heard, before the Decree enrolled, either Party dies: In this case a Bill of Reviver must be brought, that the former Proceedings may stand revived, and the Cause be finally determined. |
▪ III. reˈviver, v. nonce-wd.
[f. reviver n.1 1 b.]
trans. To treat with a reviver; to renovate.
| 1861 Sala Dutch Pict. xxi. 337 Clothes good enough to be revivered..and sold..as superior second-hand garments. |